ACG events are halted, Chinese otaku anguish.
Due to the current political situation surrounding Senkaku Island/Diao Yu Island, tensions between China and Japan are at an all time high. Due to this, many Japanese artists have cancelled their performances in China. Chinese otaku lament online, risking the great firewall. Their Japanese counter parts can only be sympathetic and say "Well if anyone's to blame, blame your government!"
The first victim of this is the huge Japanese idol group SMAP. SMAP was scheduled to appear at Shanghai's World Expo in June, but after that was cancelled they were set for an October concert. Following the tragic "Boat Crash incident", their concert is now indefinitely delayed.
An Anisong concert scheduled from the 4th of October till the 6th at Shanghai's World Expo was also cancelled. The artists were notified on the 28th of September to "Take Caution", while actually suggesting "It'll be best if you don't come". The Japanese events coordinator decided it would be safest for both the audience and the artists to cancel the event.
Animelo's first overseas live in Shanghai that was supposed to be for November this year is also cancelled. This was going to be a big first step for both China and Japan's anime industry. Other affected artists include JAM PROJECT and 下川みくに (of FMP! fame).
Some Chinese otaku complain online that to see the concerts in Shanghai that were during the national holiday, they splurged on expensive Golden Week tickets that are now useless. Others lament the effort that they went into obtaining front row tickets for JAM PROJECT are now in vain.
These articles when translated and posted on the popular Japanese image board site, 2 chan, ignited many sympathetic responses. But a few reply with "Your government's the one to blame!
Via : #sankaku
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